Nick Montgomery spotted on Dundee United scouting mission as Hibs boss casts eye over champions elect

Nick Montgomery was spotted at Tannadice watching Dundee United beat Ayr to all but clinch the Championship title last weekend.

The Hibs boss took advantage of a free week in the Scottish Premiership due to the Scottish Cup semi-finals, and now speculation is mounting as to who Montgomery was there to cast his eye over. He was in the directors box alongside no. 2 Sergio Raimundo. United were 1-0 winners thanks to Chris Mochrie's strike and will confirm their status as champions with a point away to Airdrie on Friday night.

Montgomery is under pressure after failing to make the top six cut with the Hibees. Now he's preparing their final five fixtures of the campaign, starting with a trip to St Johnstone on Saturday. But the Leith boss' thoughts will have already turned to next season. Bill Foley's buy-in will have increased expectations at Easter Road and Montgomery will be expected to deliver a vast improvement on this campaign.

But which United stars might he have been taking a closer look at? The Hibees have been in need of and out-and-out striker, with big money signing Dylan Vente not always a first pick under Montgomery and Christian Doidge shipped out during the January transfer window.

Louis Moult's scoring pedigree in the top flight could make him worth a look. He only penneda one-year deal with United last summer, and while a history of injuries may make him a risk, proven goalscorers are hard to come by and Montgomery may be eyeing up a bargain addition.

Tannadice youngster Kai Fotheringham has also caught the eye in Tangerine this season. The 21-year-old midfielder has netted 14 times this season, playing a key role in the club's march to the title.